Collar locator



Jan. 10, 1933.

D. l.. SHULQ COLLAR LOCATOR Filed July 16 192'? 2 Sheets-Sheet l TOfA/ZX Jan. 10, 1933.

D. L. SHULL COLLAR LOCATOR .Filed July 16. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 10, 1933 UNITE-D STATES PATENT OFFICE DANIEL L. SHULL, OF BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR, BY DIREUI AND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO SHELL PERFORATING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEVADA i COLLAR LOCATOR L Application lfiled J'uly 16,

My invention relates to the well drilling industry and relates to a method and apparatus whereby Va collar may be located. It should be understood nevertheless that the invention is of utility vin other arts. In this specification the invention will be described in connection with the oil drilling industry.

It is the general object of my invention to provide an apparatus which may be inserted into a string of pipe or casing and operated so that the openings between the pipe lengths of the string may be located.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of this character which is operated by a reciprocatory movement.

A still further object of the invention is .to provide an apparatus of this character 1n which no -parts will be locked in protruding position. A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of this character which is adapted to locate abrupt irregularities in casingsof 'a well string.

Other objects and advantages will be pointed outtin the following` description.

Referring to the drawings in which I illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 1 is an elevational view. l

Fig. 2 is a section showing `the parts in non-operative position. i

Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 are views taken as indicated by the corresponding section lines of Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is an elevational View taken at right angles to Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 9 is a section of the upper portion of the apparatus showing the parts in operative position.

Fig. 10 is a section taken at right angles to Fig. 9.

` Fig. 11 is an enlarged detail of. the locator lower end of the tube 39.

j. 1927. Serial. No. 206,280.

member 25, as shown. Formedvertically on opposite sides of the body 20, as illustrated in Figs. l, 3,A 4 and 5', are channels 27. Adapted to extend into these channels 27 are vertical armsv` 28 of a yoke 29. The connecting por- 55 34, as shown in Figs. 2 andl 9, is provided 65 with a head 36. Located below the structure just described is a friction device indicated by thenumeral 38. This friction device as shown best in Figs. 2 and 9, has a central tube 39 into which the lower end of the rod 34 70 extends. The upper end of the tube 39 is provided with a collar 40 to prevent the head 36 from being removed from the tube. Secured to the tube 39 in spaced relation are plates 41, the upper plate 41 being located a short 75 distance below the upper end of the tube 39, and the lower plate 41 being located at the ecured to these l plates 41-by cap screws 42 are spring arms 43. The central part of the tube 39 is pro-f80 vided with a collar 44 and compressed between the` collar 44 and the spring arms 43 are compression springs 45 which push the sprin arms 43 outward so that they fric'- tion 2 to 7 andl Fig. 9. When the apparatus is'in non-operative positionand is being lowered into the well, the upper end of the tube 39 is engaged by the closure member 25 and is forced downward against the frictional re- 90 sistance of the engagement of the spring arms andthe casing.

As illustratedbest in Figs. 2 and 9, the upf per plate 41 is provided with ears 49 to which a latch-bar 50 is pivoted. A at springy 51, 95'

as illustrated in Fig. 2, engages the latch-bar 50 and forces it inward through one of a pair of slots 52 formed in the tube 39 against the rod 34. When the rod 34 is moved upward relative to the friction device 38'the head 36 100 y engage the casing 47 shown in Figs. 8 5

mag7 move into the upper part of the tube 39, an the latch-bar 50 will swing into the position shown in Fig. 9. When this occurs, the head 36 cannot move from its position in the upper part of the tube 39. If the body is then lowered, the friction device 38 will prevent the rod 34 and the yoke 29 from moving downward. At this time .there will be a relative movement between these parts and the body and they will move from the position shown in Fig.' 2 into the positions shown in Figs. 9 and 10. The bar 31 carried bythe arms 28 moves from a'position in the lower part of the slot 32 into a position in the upper part of the slot 32.

Formed vertically in the upper part of the y body 20-at right angles to the slot 32 is a transverse opening 55. Resting in the transverse opening' 55 is a head 56 which consists of `a block 57 to which side plates 58 are secured.y The block 57 is provided -withan opening 59 through which the rod 31extends. By this arrangement the head 56 is moved vertically in the opening with the bar 31. Carried by the head 56 are vot-bars 60 to which locator arms 61 are pivoted. The locator arms have openin 62 through which the pivot-bars exten these openings be,- ing of a largerdiameter than the pivot-bars. The block57 of the head 56 is rovided with arcuated shoulders 63 which take all ,of the thrust imposed by the locator arms 61. 'The pivot-bars 60 take no thrust but serve only as a means for retaining the upper ends of the locator bars in proper position. Secured to a web portion 64 supported near the lower part of the side plates 58 are extendingsprings 65. These extending-springs-65 engagedthelocator arms 61 and press outward on them, tending to hold them in extended position. Carried by the body 20 at the lower part of the transverse opening 55 are lock members in the form of flat springs 67, which, as shownin Fig. 2, engage the lower end of the locator arms 61 when the apparatus isin non-operative position and retain 4them in retracted position against the force applied by the extending springs 65.

The operation of my invention is as follows:

. In Figs. 1 and 2 the apparatus is shown in non-operative position, in which position it is lowered through the casing 47 to the location where it is desired to -locate the exact osition of the collars. When this point has been reached the operator pulls the cable 22 upward, moving the body 20 therewith. The friction device, as previously explained, will not move upward with the body 20; consequently there is a relative movement `between these parts. The yoke 29 and rod 34, however, move upward until the head 36 carried by the rod 34 engages the collar 40 at, the upper end of the tube 39. A

When' the head 36 moves above the latchbar 50, the latch-bar swings into the position -shown in Fig. 9. The cable 22 is then lowered so that the body moves downward. The friction device remains stationary and the rod 34 and yoke 29 also remain stationary in View of the fact that the latch-bar 50 has locked the head 36 in the upper part of the tube 39. There will, therefore, be a relative movement between the-yoke 29 and body 20, as previously explained, and as the body 20 moves downward with relation to yoke 29 the slot 32 is moved with relation to the'rod 31 and the relative motion of the puarts finally block 57. During the movement of the body .20 relative to yoke 29 the rod 31 holds the head 56 stationary while the body moves downward from the position shown in Fig. 2 into the position shown in Fig. 9. When the body is moved downward, the locator arms 61 are disengaged from the lock springs 67 and they are urged outward by the extending-springs 65.C

The device is nowin condition to locate .the collars. As illustrated in Figs. 2 and 9, the casing 47 consists of lengths of pipe 70 which are secured together by collars or couplings 7l. The vadjacent, ends of the lengths of p ipe 70 always have a space or pocket 72 between them which provides an irregularity in the contour of the interior of the casing 47. This space or pocket 72 may be of the size shown in the drawings or may be very small. The operator lowers the cable 22 until the locator arms 61 extend into a space or pocket 72. The outer ends of the locator arms will engage the shoulder formed by one of the lengths of pipe 70 which will interfere with the lowering of the apparatus. The operator Iof the apparatus by close observation will be cognizant of any disturbances which occur and will know that a collar has been located. The cable 22 is measured as it is lowered into the well so that the operator will know the exact depth of the apparatus below the surface `of the ground. Where the space or pocket 72 is as large as shown in the drawings the device cannot be lowered beyond the position shown in Fig. 9. The operator then raises the apparatus a distance equal to a length 'of ypipe, the locator arms being squeezed inward so that they may pass through the casing. The operator then lowers the cable again until a disturbance caused by the locator arms61 moving into a space or pocket 72 indicates that another collar is found. The operator will then take a reading of the depth of the collar and moves upward to the next collar.

It should be understood that the spaces or" may be found. In some cases it may be desirable to use sensitive devices at the upper end of the cable for registering any engagement of the locator arms 61 in irregularities. The invention is not limited to the use of finding collars but may be used for finding other parts of a string. The invention may be used for determining Whether or not the shoe of the casing hasbeen lost. It is also useful for finding the welded seams of stovepipe casing which is sometimes used :in place of the wrought iron casing.

In the foregoing description I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention. The important part of the invention is the parts which function to indicate to the operator irregularities in the contour of the casing such as are formed at the joints or where any parts are connected together. It should be understood`that the principle of this invention may be embodied invarious physical reflexes, and therefore I. do not wish to be limited to the exact design in this application. A very'important part-of the invention is that thelocator arms 61 are releasedr and are operated by a reciprocatory motion.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a locator of the class described adapted to be moved through a casing, the combination of a body, a head movably carried by said body, locator arms extendable to' a diameter greater than the casing bore, means` whereby said locator arms are swingably sup-- ported by said head, said locator arms being swingable between retracted -and extended position, lock means for retaining said locator arms in retracted position. and means operative for releasing said locatorA arms from said lock means.

2. Ina locator of the class described adapt-- ed to be moved through a casing, the combination of a body, ahead movably carried by said body, locator arms pivoted to said head, said locator arms being swngable between retracted and extended positions, lock means carried by said body for releasably holdin-g said locator arms in retracted position, ex-

tending means tending to urge said locator arms into extended position. and means operative for reciprocally moving said body relative to said head'so as to release said locator arms from said lock means.

3. In a locator of the class described adapted to be moved through a casing, theV combination of a suspension means. a body suspended from said suspension means. a head movably carried by said body, locator arms pivoted to said head. said locator arms being pivoted to said head so that their lower extremities swing below said pivots between retracted and extended positions, lock means carried by said body for releasably holding said locator arms in retracted position. extending means carried by said head tending to urge said locator arms into extended position, a friction means, a lost motion means operatively connecting said head and friction means,r and a latch means mounted on said friction means and operative for rendering said lost motion means inoperative.

4. In a locator of the class described adapted to be moved through a casing, the combination of a body, a head movably carried,by said body, locator arms extendable to a great.- er diameter than the bore of the casing, means whereby said locator arms are pivotally supported by said head, lock means for said locator arms, and means for controlling the operation of said lock means.

5. Ina locator of the class described adapted to be moved through a casing, the combination ofa body, a head movably carried by said body. locator arms extendable to a diameter greater than the casing bore. means whereinv said-locator arms are pivotally supported by said head. a spring means for extending said locator arms, lock means for locking said locator arms. and means for controlling the operation of said lock means.

6. In a locatonof the class described adapted to be moved through a casing, the combination of abody, a head movably carried by said body. locator arms extendable to a diameter greater than the casing bore.`means whereby said locator arms are pivotallysupoperable between retracted and extended positions. lock means for retaining said locator arms in retracted position, and means operable for releasing said locator arms from said lock means.

7. In `a locatorof the class described adapted to be moved through a casing. the combination of a body, a suspension means for the body. a head movably carried -by said body locator arms extendable to a diameter greater than the casing bore, pivotal means whereby said locator arms are supported by said head. said locator arms being disposed to' swing about their pivots between retracted and extended positions, lock means for retaining said locator arms in retracted position, means operative for releasing said locator arms from said lock means, and ex'- tending means for moving said locatonarms into extended position.

8. In a locator of the class described adapted to be moved through a well casing` the combination of a body, a head movably carried by said body, suspension means extending to the sur-face of the ground above the well for supporting said body,`locator arms. pivotal means whereby said locator arms are swfngably supported by' said head, said locator arms being disposed to swing about their v -vice adapted to yieldingly and slidably enmeans, and extending means for moving said locator arms into extended position.

9. In a locator of the class described adapted to be moved through a casing, the combination of a body, a head movably carried-by said ybody, locator arms pivoted to said head, said locator arms being operable between.. retracted 'and extended positions, lock means carried' by said body for releasably holding said locator arms in retracted position, extending means tending to urge said locator arms into extended position, and lmeans. operative for moving said body relative to said head so as to release said locator arms from said lock means.

10. In a locator of the class described adapted toa be moved through a casing, vthe combination of a suspension means, a body suspended thereby, a head movably carried by said body, locatory arms pivoted to said head, said arms being operable between retracted and extended positons, lock means for releasably 'holding `said locator arms in retracted position, extending means carried by said head and tending to yieldingly urge said locator arms into extended position,and a frict`on means operatively connected to said head.

11. Ina locator of the class described adapted to be moved through a casing, the combination of a suspension means, a body suspended from said suspension means, a head movably carried by said body, locator arms pivoted to said head, said locator arms being operable between retracted and extended positionslock means vcarried by sa`d body for releasably holding said locator arms in retracted position, extending means carried by said head tending to urge said locator arms into extended position, a frict'on degage the inner surface of the casing, Aa lost motion means operatively' connect-ing said head and friction device, and a latch means for said lost motion means.

12. In alocator of the class describe adapted to be movedthrough a casing, the combination of a suspension means, a body suspended thereby, a head movably carried by said body, locator arms pivoted to said head, said locator arms being pivoted to said head so that they may swing about their pivots between retracted and extended positions, locking means connected to said body for releasably holding said locator arms in retracted position, a spring means yieldingly urging said locator arms into extended position` and a friction means yieldingly engagf ing the side walls of the casing and operatively connected to said head, whereby the suspension'means may be operated to cause a relative movement between said body and head for releasing the locator arms from said lock means.

13. A locator adapted to be moved through a casing and including the combination of. a slotted hollow body, a head slidably mounted in said body, locator arms pivotally mounted in said head and arranged when said head is at the upper end of said body :to project through the slots iny said body, a spring means arranged to yieldingly urge the locator arms into. extended position, a' yoke having upwardly directed arms pivotally connected at their upper ends to said head, the yoke atA its lower end provided with an operating rod having a head, a friction device adapted to yieldingly and slidably engage the inner surface of the casing and having a tube into which said yoke rod with its head isslidably inserted, said tube having means cooperating with said head for preventing said rod from being totally withdrawn from said tube, a latch means arranged to automatically lock said .rod in the upperv end ofsaid tube when the lower end of said rod has been moved into.

the upper end of the tube.

14. A locator adapted to be moved through a casing and including the combination of a slotted hollow body arranged to be raised or lowered through the casing, a locator head slidably mounted in said body, locator arms pivotally mounted in said head and arranged when extended to project through said slots in said body, a spring means arranged to yieldingly urge said locator arms into extended position, means for retaining said locator arms in retracted position when said head is in its lowermost position in said body, a yoke pivotally connected at its upper ends to the said locator head and at its lower end provided with an ,operating rod, a friction device adapted to yieldingly and slidably engage the inner surface of the casing and having a tube into .which said yoke operating rod is slidably mounted, and means carried by said tube for en l preventing said rod from being totally with` my-hand at Bakersfield, California, ,this 11th` day of July, 1927.

' DANIEL L. SHULL. 

